Chapter 33
Ah.
Lord Raymond is looking at me.
He turned to face the ladies. There was still some distance between them, but his green eyes were vivid. That gaze was burdensome. Isella coveted that gaze, but Carynne was only left uncomfortable by it.
He recalled what happened last time. And the attitude Carynne showed him back then The corners of his lips went up. He smiled, chuckled, made a strange expression, bowed slightly and then focused on the conversation once more.
Is he being shy?
Yes.
Carynne didnt think that was it, but she still answered patiently.
Isella had yet to direct any hostility towards her in earnest. However, the despair and frustration that would sprout were sometimes stronger than her jealousy that made her uncomfortable.
Though in Carynnes case, this discomfort was a new feeling for her, so she didnt necessarily comfort Isella. Because of this jealousy,
Isella had yet to show any hostility towards her in earnest. However, rather Isellas melancholy and envy, what made Carynne uncomfortable was her despair.
But even this despair was a new stimulus for Carynne, so she didnt necessarily soothe Isella. Because of that envy, Isella was keeping a close friendship with Carynne and this would lead to bullying that at least wouldnt be akin to torture, but at the same time, it wasnt that close of a friendship that theyd go as far as holding a double wedding together. Just a so-and-so friendship.
This tension was felt little by little by everyone in the mansion. Problems between men and women were also enjoyable to witness. Giggling to herself, Carynne looked around at the horses. The adult horses were all white and glossy.
How much would you sell them for?
The horses arent for sale. Theyre presented as gifts every now and again.
Certainly If the horses are of this variety, the cost of breeding them alone would be considerable. I wouldnt even take them outside. Im very envious.
Most of the Hare households horses became pure white once they became adults, so Isella quite liked them. Their coats were white and they were smart, and it could be said that these horses could only be seen in fairytales.
Theyre pretty and have good physiques. If its like this, really, you should put them up in an auction house. The profits would really be
Isellas gaze continued to hover towards Raymond. As if the subject of her words werent the horses but that man himself. Carynne quickly replied to Isella, who looked as though shed be drooling any moment now.
Its amazing that you know a lot, Isella.
Barring the problem with Raymond, would Isella even be able to have a proper relationship with him? Carynne was curious about that. Isellas biggest drawback to her character was her tactlessness, which sometimes annoyed even Carynne.
Miss Evans, youre quite interested in horses, arent you? Are you interested in horseback riding as well?
Isella had pretended to look at the horses only as she gradually inched closer to Raymond. There, Raymond spoke to Isella and asked like this. While her attention was focused on him, Carynne slipped away.
Hm? Oh, yes. Im confident in my horseback riding skills. Ive heard from others since I was young that I have a talent for it
That much self-esteem didnt sound good to hear. Isella didnt have much of a grasp on how relationships worked. Carynne clicked her tongue.
Anyway, as she was witnessing this for the hundredth repetition, Carynne waited inside the carriage as Isella continued to blush while bragging to Raymond.
At this point of the plotline, Carynne wasnt meant to know how to ride horses just yet. Besides that, Isella boasted of her horseback riding skills, so she couldnt understand how Carynne preferred riding a carriage comfortably instead of riding a horse by herself. If theres something she could brag about
Well, from inside the carriage, the scenery outside the window as they passed through the road towards the hunting grounds was beautiful to see.
While Raymond was being held up by Isella, Carynne did her job and supervised the servants who were carrying all the luggage. The entire day would be spent on the hunt, maybe even a few days to catch some game. They would need to return to the mansion and come back to the hunting grounds a few times. On the other hand, the hunters would have to remain there, thats why Carynne also had to check the number of bullets and traps.
Actually, the person who needed to work more here was Xenon, but he was just sitting next to the coachmannot the horsesmoking and chatting comfortably. Rather than animals for the sacrificial ritual, Carynne glanced at the trap and wished that they would just catch some foxes. The late autumn in the city was quite chilly, so it was going to be a trend to wear fur over ones relatively thin clothes.
Do we have enough traps?
Oh, uh, yes. More than enough.
Then thats no good.
Ah No, theres just enough.
Then thats a relief.
When Carynne asked Xenon about the traps, he panicked as he replied. She looked through the bullets and the packed lunches, then she gave the signal for departure. The coachman beckoned to Tom, who in turn approached the man. Fortunately for him, the coachman thought that he was cute. The same with Xenon.
It was a pure affection for children. When Carynne said that she was going to take Tom under her custody, she recalled how disgusted one maid looked, though the maid tried to hide it. Carynne felt that such a reaction was strange. Did people feel differently if it was the same gender? But there was no such feeling between herself and Isella.
* * *
Ah The carriage step is broken.
So you didnt take care of it properly?
Its not a surprising fact to Carynne, but the coachman scratched his head and just kept saying, That cant be true He mumbled one excuse after another. Carynne didnt listen.
Ah.
Carynne looked at the empty space in front of her. There was no hand waiting there. Originally, Raymond would have come to help her into the carriage. Even if he wasnt her fianc, it felt strange. She had never not been helped into the carriage. Its a little unpleasant.
But why?
She was sure that shed enjoy this change. Carynne felt displeased by the fact that she got displeased. Raymond was not by her side. And it wasnt because of her own choice.
Carynne beckoned and called Tom, who was standing some distance away. Since Raymond wasnt here, she should at least use her little carriage footman at a time like this. Even so, Carynne sighed as she looked at the boy who was smaller than her. She should just get help from the coachman.
Tom, go and get to Larry.
Tom?
Should he just lie there in front of you?
A cold voice spoke out from behind.
Sir Raymond?
He wasnt looking at Carynne. The icy stare was directed at Tom, not her. Whats wrong with him? He never even spoke to the boy before this. Tom flinched and bowed his head low.
Youre being slow.
And here, Tom understood faster than Carynne did. She belatedly realized what Raymond had said just now.
Tom lay down on his hands and knees at the base of the carriage entrance. His shoulders were shaking minutely because of the tension.
Why though. Carynne looked at the knight because she couldnt understand what was happening at this moment. Raymond then turned to meet her gaze. Both gazes did not waver.
Go ahead, Catherine Hare.
He offered his hand to support her. This knight was urging her to step on a nine-year-old child.
Go up now.
Carynne took Raymonds hand. She tried to step on Tom, but instead, she brought her foot higher and stepped directly onto the carriage floor. Even if Raymond was doing something right now that he hadnt ever done before, Carynne also had to adjust as much as possible. He must already have a crush on her.
When Carynne tried to step forward, she stumbled slightly. Raymond supported her again and lifted her up.
Thank you.
My pleasure.
Receiving her thanks, Raymond smiled and closed the carriage door. While he was inside.
After hoisting Carynne up into the carriage, he went ahead and got in as well. This was something that he shouldnt be doing, especially when his fiance was right outside.
Its not time for us to have this kind of relationship just yet, right?
At a loss for words, Carynne asked.
What about Miss Isella?
She said she likes riding on horseback. Since she likes it so much, I thought it would be considerate to let her enjoy it.
Whoop-de-doo.
She could easily imagine what kind of face Isella would makeshe had definitely turned bright red. Carynne was too scared to look out the window. Forget the tar that would have gotten poured over her head later. She should just expect rotten food now.
Theres plenty of space here, so Im hoping you wont kick me out.
Sir Raymond. Wouldnt it be better for you to ride on horseback instead?
I dont know how to ride a horse.
But youre a knight? Carynne was rendered speechless by his smile.
The military these days Is it alright that soldiers dont know how to ride a horse?
Try licking your lips before lying like that. Raymond smiled comfortably anyhow.
Im a bit shy, so I cant ride horses that I havent seen before.
Suuure.
Im an introvert, you see.
Apparently so.
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